Iranians denounce Nigeria massacre, arrest of Shiite leader

Crowds chant ''We Are All Zakzaky!''


https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/iranians-denounce-nigeria-massacre-arrest-of-shiite-leader/2015/12/18/d5278980-a594-11e5-8318-bd8caed8c588_story.html


By Ali Akbar Dareini | AP December 18

TEHRAN, Iran — Thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran on Friday to condemn the killing of hundreds of Shiite Muslims in Nigeria and demanded the release of a Nigerian Shiite leader.

Hundreds of Shiites were reportedly killed in an army raid in Nigeria last Saturday. Shiite leader Ibraheem Zakzaky suffered four bullet wounds and was taken into custody.

Human rights groups say as many as 1,000 people may have been killed.

Demonstrators at Friday’s rally in Tehran chanted “we are all Zakzaky” and carried banners demanding his “unconditional release.”

Iran, seen as the guardian of the Shiite Muslim faith, has condemned the killings. The Foreign Ministry summoned the Nigerian charge d’affaires earlier this week to protest the killings in Zaria, in northern Nigeria.

The Nigerian military said troops advanced on sites in Zaria after hundreds of Shiites attacked the convoy of Nigeria’s army chief on Sunday.

Human rights advocates and the United States have called for an investigation. Iran’s state media have given prominent coverage to the Zaria killings, describing the incident as “carnage” and a “horrible crime.”

Cleric Ahmad Khatami, who led Friday prayers in Tehran, said the killings would boost the Islamic State terror group and its supporters around the world.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday called Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, to protest the killings and say that Iran expects the Nigerian government to compensate the victims’ families. Iran’s Foreign Minister also called his Nigerian counterpart, saying the Nigerian government is responsible for protecting Shiite Muslims and their property.

Meanwhile, in India...

Shias across India protest the detention in Nigeria of Iran-backed cleric

- Demonstrations in Delhi, Lucknow and other cities express support for Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

Uzair Hasan Rizvi · Dec 18, 2015 · 09:12 am




Ripples from the unrest in Nigeria were felt in India on Thursday as Shias in several cities organised demonstrations on Thursday against the government of the West African country for the alleged killings of scores of Shias last weekend and arresting Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, one of the country's top Shia clerics and founder of the Iran-backed Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Demonstrators took to the streets in Delhi, Kashmir, Lucknow and Chennai to demand the release of the cleric.

Zakzaky, the man whose cause they were championing, is the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. The Sheikh’s latest troubles began on December 12, when he led a protest against the Nigerian government in the city of Zaria During the protest, the government alleged, an army general's car was hit by a projectile in an assassination attempt. In response, the government launched an offensive targeting the Sheikh and his followers for the next three days.

Sheikh Zakzaky's followers claim that was wounded and later captured by the Nigerian army. His wife and son were reportedly killed. In an interview to Iranian News Channel Press TV, Ibrahim Musa, spokesperson of the claimed that there are over 800 bodies lying in the mortuary of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching hospital, among them 87 women. He also said that some of the corpses are in army barracks and are yet to reach the hospital.

But other reports from the region put the number of dead at just above 60.

The cleric began promoting Shia Islam in 1979 at the time of the Iranian revolution, in the hope of establishing an Islamic republic in Nigeria along similar religious lines. About half Nigeria’s 180 million citizens are Muslim, a fraction of whom are Shia. Zakzaky’s group is backed by Shia-dominated Iran and its members often go there to study. His followers have often run into conflict with members of the Sunni militant group Boko Haram, who believe that Shias are apostates who should be killed.

This isn't his first clash with the authorities. In 2014, at a pro-Palestinian rally in Zaria, 34 protesters were killed by the army. The dead included three of Zakzaky's sons. At the time, the army claimed that it was acting in self-defence.

Indian protests

The Sheikh's detention is being closely followed by some Indian Shias. In Delhi, more than 500 people marched from Teen Moorti to Chanakyapuri police station area on Thursday. Protestors submitted a memorandum to the Nigerian embassy in New Delhi condemning the killings in and demanding the release of the Sheikh.

A similar protest took place in Kashmir, under the banner of the Anjuman-e-Imamia, Jammu and All Ladakh Muslim Association. "We condemn the killings in Nigeria, which shows that the Nigerian army is also acting like Boko Haram,” said Anjuman president Amanat Shah. “The United Nations should take notice of the brutal murder of hundreds of Shias, which is still going on."

In Lucknow, noted Shia cleric and Imam-e-Juma, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad Naqvi also condemned the killings of Shia Muslims in Nigeria and wrote a letter to the Nigerian Ambassador conveying his anger and anguish. The Maulana said that the Ayatollah Zakzaky has always raised his voice against the brutality of ISIS in Syria and Iraq and advocated the cause of Palestine.

In Chennai, hundreds of Shia Muslims headed by Shia cleric Ghulam Mohammad Mehdi Khan held a protest against the Nigerian attacks. Here, the demonstrations against Nigeria were mixed up with support for Palestine. Some participants held posters with Lebanon’s resistance leader and Hezbollah chief Sayyad Hassan Nasrallah's declaration: "Israel is weaker than spider's web."

http://scroll.in/article/776536/shias-across-india-protest-the-detention-in-nigeria-of-an-iran-backed-cleric

Nonesense we don't tolerate fanatism in Nigeria. Boko Haram taught us a bitter lesson. Those Shiites are better to us Dead.

why didn't the Military take out Boko Haram like they did to the Shias
Too bad for Jaja Jaja Nation

Icon4s:
Nonesense we don't tolerate fanatism in Nigeria. Boko Haram thought us a bitter lesson. Those Shiites are better to us Dead.

Wrong approach. Boko Haram are a Sunni sect. ISIS is also a Sunni sect. Saudi Arabia and Egypt are Sunni. Most Nigerian muslims are Sunnis, including Buhari.

Shiites, led by Iran, are actually the 'good guys' in all of this, believe it or not.

Rossikk:


Wrong approach. Boko Haram are a Sunni sect. ISIS is also a Sunni sect. Saudi Arabia is mostly Sunni. Most Nigerian muslims are Sunnis, including Buhari.

Shiites, led by Iran, are actually the good guys in all of this...

Good guys holding matchetes and baricading roads all in the name of God? They are all bad guys and dnt deserve to live in same planet with us. Cursed b dat day Islam was introduced unto the Earth.

Icon4s:

Good guys holding matchetes and baricading roads all in the name of God?

No more than what IPOB protesters did the other day.... ''all in the name of Ojukwu''.

They are all bad guys and dnt deserve to live in same planet with us. Cursed b dat day Islam was introduced unto the Earth.

You do realise there are nearly 2 BILLION muslims on earth?

That's an awful lot of innocent people to kill.

Are you related to Hitler by any chance?

Rossikk:


Wrong approach. Boko Haram are a Sunni sect. ISIS is also a Sunni sect. Saudi Arabia and Egypt are Sunni. Most Nigerian muslims are Sunnis, including Buhari.

Shiites, led by Iran, are actually the 'good guys' in all of this, believe it or not.

There is no 'good guys' among religious extremist. Any sect that is bold enough to block the convoy of an incumbent COAS is an extremist group that nothing good can come from. They are all terrorists or potential terrorists and should be ruthlessly dealt with. Please note, am not talking about moderate Muslims here.

Protesting? Can the Convoy of an Iranian General be blocked by scoundrels and they won't kill everyone at sight?


[size=24pt]Kidgod
[/size]

seunmsg:



There is no 'good guys' among religious extremist. Any sect that is bold enough to block the convoy of an incumbent COAS is an extremist group that nothing good can come from. They are all terrorists or potential terrorists and should be ruthlessly dealt with. Please note, am not talking about moderate Muslims here.

There is nothing like moderate Muslims. If you don't follow the Saudi wahabbi doctrine(in which moderatism doesn't exist), then that person is an infidel or Kaafir.

Rossikk:


No more than what IPOB protesters did the other day.... ''all in the name of Ojukwu''.




You do realise there are nearly 2 BILLION muslims on earth?

That's an awful lot of innocent people to kill.

Are you related to Hitler by any chance?

Comparing apples with oranges. IPOB protesters were nt protesting in the name of any God. Besides there was a reason for which they were protesting . What bleeping reason was behind those shiites blocking d road and preventing The COAS staff from passing? Muslims have always been violent. Fighting in d name of God they call it.
A religion that teaches terrorism and suicide bombing.
The world would b a peaceful place without d muslims.

Iran should please get a transcript of El rufia and Sanusi lamido sanusi speeches to understand how our Sunni leaders see the massacre.

In all, The Nigerian masses upholds the universal sanctity of human life regardless of creed,tribe or religion.

The two personalities in SLS and El rufia who have spoken publicly in support of the massacre should be asked questions by Iran. We all know PMB silence is an affirmation of the divine testament of SLS and El rufia.

saxywale:

There is nothing like moderate Muslims. If you don't follow the Saudi wahabbi doctrine(in which moderatism doesn't exist), then that person is an infidel or Kaafir.

Exactly! Just like how the ever violent Hausa muslims dnt regard d more reasonable and peaceful Yoruba muslims as true muslims.Even worshipping in seperate mosques. Any violence in d North against non-muslims also affect d innocent Yoruba muslims. If u dnt have violence running through ur veins then u are no true muslim.

Icon4s:


Exactly! Just like how the ever violent Hausa muslims dnt regard d more reasonable and peaceful Yoruba muslims as true muslims.Even worshipping in seperate mosques. Any violence in d North against non-muslims also affect d innocent Yoruba muslims. If u dnt have violence running through ur veins then u are no true muslim.

Exactly. Certain sects of Islam, such as Wahhabism(Sunni) , include as kafir those Muslims who follow Shia teachings about Islam. Similarly, in Africa, certain sects of Islam such as Armadiyya and Yorubas Muslims have been repeatedly declared as Kufir or infidels by other sects of Muslims.

saxywale:

Exactly. Certain sects of Islam, such as Wahhabism(Sunni) , include as kafir those Muslims who follow Shia teachings about Islam. Similarly, in Africa, certain sects of Islam such as Armadiyya and Yorubas Muslims have been repeatedly declared as Kufir or infidels by other sects of Muslims.

... declared as infidels simply bc they are non-violent.

In my work place for instance a Yoruba muslim is nt allowed to lead prayers where there are also Hausa worshippers. Is that nt religious slavery and oppression?

Hmmm...

saxywale:

Exactly. Certain sects of Islam, such as Wahhabism(Sunni) , include as kafir those Muslims who follow Shia teachings about Islam. Similarly, in Africa, certain sects of Islam such as Armadiyya and Yorubas Muslims have been repeatedly declared as Kufir or infidels by other sects of Muslims.

But we are talking Shia here, not Sunni. Comparing the two is like comparing Catholic Church and Aladura Churches.
Apart from a violent hatred for Israel, the Shiites seems like some reformed and modern chaps. Eg, while it is acceptable to suffer martyrdom for a religious cause in the Shia sect,Sucide bombing is expressly forbidden. Shia women are very modestly covered in black, ( ninja style is a no no) segregation from men is disallowed. They have a very Morden interpretation of marriage and Divorce. ETC. I am a Christian for your information.

Marotzke:
the Shiites seems like some reformed and modern chaps

That is why I said moderatism is not allowed in Islam, it's either you follow the wahabbi doctrine strictly (Sunni-which are the majority in Northern Nigeria and the world) or you are declared a Kaafir. A Kaafir's life is worthless to a Sunni. That is why a northern Muslim (Sunni) would not think twice before slaughtering a Kaafir(Amadiya, southern muslims, christians, atheist, Jews, shia e.t.c) when he has the opportunity. Opportunity in this case would be riots, slight provocation, having the law on his side e.t.c

It is not difficult to explain why the shia road blockade quickly turned to a genocide. How do we explain why soldiers went to the shia imam's home and started killing children, women and men that were not even part of those blocking the road

The President's silence is also deafening.

If they really blocked the convoy of the COAS is totally wrong but the military should be trained on how to handle civil conflicts,what happend in onitsha just replayed itself.PMB should be mindful of this iranian threat those guys represent satan on earth if in doubt check what they tumbled syria into.

kevinscore:
If they really blocked the convoy of the COAS is totally wrong but the military should be trained on how to handle civil conflicts,what happend in onitsha just replayed itself.PMB should be mindful of this iranian threat those guys represent satan on earth if in doubt check what they tumbled syria into.

The worse that would happen is that Iran would create a branch of hezbolla in Nigeria. I am sure the Nigerian army is capable of fighting war on several fronts, since they have taken the shia's non violence stance in Nigeria for weakness.

saxywale:

The worse that would happen is that Iran would create a branch of hezbolla in Nigeria. I am sure the Nigerian army is capable of fighting war on several fronts, since they have taken the shia's non violence stance in Nigeria for weakness.

Iam no longer disturbed about this boko haram thing because when hizbolla visits nigeria both boko haram n the nigerian army wil be on their toes

guttentag:
why didn't the Military take out Boko Haram like they did to the Shias
Too bad for Jaja Jaja Nation

The reason is because when the head is weak, the body is weak also.

They never for once protest against the barbaric killings perpetrated by Boko Haram. They nvr protested against the kidnap of Chibok girls. These are worse than the Shiites who stupidly blocked the road that govt built and refuse to allow the army chief to pass with his entourage.

The Shiites dared the military to do their worst. They got what they asked for. Protest in Iran my foot.

Let them protest against fuel scarcity here and I will take them serious

This is just the beginning!!!

The shiites are not known for violence, yes I agree with the guy who said there's being a lot of reformation in the sect such as,suicide bombing being forbidden.

The wahabist(saudi's sect) are the ones that goes banana's when a picture of mohammed is drawn, there's too much inequality and oppression in it. I feel for the shiites and I believe the NA should have handled it in a more diplomatic manner. Even though they might have extremist factions, I agree when the guy above said, they are actually one of the good guys.